Origin: 1605–15; < Gk kritḗrion a standard, equiv. to kri- var. s. of krī́nein to separate, decide + -tērion neut. suffix of means (akin to L -tōrium-tory2)
—Related forms
cri·te·ri·al, adjective
—Can be confused:1. criteria, criterion (see usage note at criterion); 2. criteria, criterion (see usage note at this entry).
—Synonyms measure, touchstone, yardstick. See standard.
—Usage note Like some other nouns borrowed from the Greek, criterion has both a Greek plural, criteria, and a plural formed on the English pattern, criterions. The plural in -a occurs with far greater frequency than does the -s plural: These are the criteria for the selection of candidates. Although criteria is sometimes used as a singular, most often in speech and rather infrequently in edited prose, it continues strongly in use as a plural in standard English, with criterion as the singular.